Orthodontic appliance providing enhanced adhesive cure
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsRussell A. Jordan, Oscar M. Binder, Evangelos G. Georgakis, Oliver L. Puttler
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Abstract
An orthodontic appliance includes a base with an outer surface, as well as at least one passageway extending through the base. An element is received in each passageway and is made of a material that transmits actinic radiation. The element serves as a window to facilitate the curing of light-curable orthodontic adhesive beneath the appliance base, while simultaneously preventing movement of the adhesive through the passageway. Optionally, one or more optical fibers are provided to facilitate curing of the adhesive.
Claims21
A method of bonding an orthodontic appliance to a tooth comprising:
- providing an orthodontic appliance having a passageway that extends toward a base of the appliance and an element extending in the passageway;
- placing the appliance and a quantity of light-curable adhesive on the tooth such that the adhesive is located between the appliance and the tooth;
- and
- directing actinic radiation through the passageway and the element in order to facilitate curing of the adhesive.
A method of making an orthodontic appliance comprising:
- providing a body and a base, wherein at least one of the body and the base has at least one passageway extending in a labial-lingual direction, and wherein the body is substantially opaque to the transmission of actinic radiation;
- and
- placing an element in at least one passageway, wherein the element is capable of transmitting actinic radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.